The Springboks delivered exactly the statement performance their selection demanded, running in nine tries to beat Italy 66-7 in Turin on Saturday in a Nations Championship test that was effectively over as a contest inside the first half-hour.
Six tries in the opening 40 minutes illustrated just how completely the Boks controlled proceedings, with the driving maul the primary weapon of destruction. The Italian forward pack offered some unexpected resistance at scrum time — holding the Bok eight on three occasions and winning a penalty on their own ball at the fourth — but that was the only genuine bright spot for the hosts, and the Bok scrum reasserted itself after the bomb squad arrived in the second half.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was the standout performer, contributing 26 points through a try, conversions, penalties and a stunning 50-22 that led directly to Siya Kolisi's score in the 23rd minute. His solo show-and-go for his individual try underlined his growing comfort in the Bok system.
Morne van den Berg took man of the match honours, crossing in the 15th minute after the maul first broke Italian resistance. Malcolm Marx followed four minutes later when a lineout drive marched 20 metres untouched — his 30th try in Springbok colours. Kolisi added the third in the 23rd minute, again off the driving maul.
Lood de Jager, called into the starting lineup after Salmaan Moerat was lost in the warm-up, produced a performance that would have satisfied management, while Ethan Hooker continued his impressive season, making metres with ball in hand and commanding the high ball throughout.
The selection logic was transparent: with the Nations Championship format potentially leaving both the Springboks and All Blacks unbeaten at the end of the series, points difference could determine who reaches the inaugural final. The margin in Turin represents a substantial deposit.